Oslo VS Tokyo

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Oslo
Norway
78.5
COLI Index
#14
Global Rank
NOK
Currency
Tokyo
Japan
77.3
COLI Index
#16
Global Rank
JPY
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
78.5
77.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,600
$1,500
Total Deductions
32.1%
30.7%
Exchange Rate
1 NOK = 15.4213 JPY
Is Oslo cheaper than Tokyo?

Yes, Tokyo is 2% cheaper than Oslo based on our cost of living index. Tokyo has a COLI of 77.3, while Oslo has a COLI of 78.5. 2% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Oslo vs Tokyo

Overall, Tokyo is approximately 2% cheaper than Oslo based on our cost of living index. Oslo has a COLI of 78.5 (ranked #14 of 182 cities), while Tokyo has a COLI of 77.3 (ranked #16).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Oslo averages $1,600/month compared to $1,500/month in Tokyo. That makes Tokyo approximately 6% cheaper for rent alone.

Tokyo has lower total deductions (30.7%) compared to Oslo (32.1%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Tokyo. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Oslo

Income Tax
24%
Trygdeavgift
7.8%
Total: 32.1%Take-Home: kr 401,306/yr

Tokyo

Income Tax
16%
Health + Pension + Employment
14.8%
Total: 30.7%Take-Home: ¥6,226,602/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn kr 753,389 in Oslo, you would need approximately ¥11,440,619 in Tokyo to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 2% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Oslo (NOK) Tokyo (JPY)
Doctor (General) kr 1,419,384 ¥21,554,127
Software Engineer kr 670,265 ¥10,178,338
Product Manager kr 788,547 ¥11,974,515
Lawyer kr 788,547 ¥11,974,515
Data Scientist kr 749,119 ¥11,375,789
Marketing Manager kr 567,754 ¥8,621,651
Teacher kr 378,502 ¥5,747,767
Nurse kr 457,357 ¥6,945,219

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Oslo (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Frogner1.30x (+30%)
Aker Brygge1.25x (+25%)
Bygdøy1.22x (+22%)
Majorstuen1.18x (+18%)
Holmenkollen1.18x (+18%)

Tokyo (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Chiyoda (Marunouchi)1.35x (+35%)
Azabu1.35x (+35%)
Minato (Roppongi)1.30x (+30%)
Daikanyama1.28x (+28%)
Shibuya1.25x (+25%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oslo or Tokyo more expensive?

Oslo is more expensive overall. Oslo has a COLI of 78.5 while Tokyo has a COLI of 77.3, making Tokyo approximately 2% cheaper.

What salary in Tokyo equals kr 753,389 in Oslo?

To maintain the same standard of living as kr 753,389 in Oslo, you would need approximately ¥11,440,619 in Tokyo.

Is rent cheaper in Oslo or Tokyo?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oslo is $1,600/month compared to $1,500/month in Tokyo. Tokyo has lower rent by approximately 6%.

Which city has lower taxes, Oslo or Tokyo?

Tokyo has lower total deductions (30.7%) compared to Oslo (32.1%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Tokyo.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.